‘Shed’ reopens in South Superior

The Shabby Shed has made the move to Superior. The consignment store, which specializes in upscale resale, outgrew its former space in South Range last fall.

“The success just really took off,” said owner Lorraine Peterson. “So the shed was too small.”

Friday, she was busy adding homey touches to the business’ new space in the former bank at 6101 Tower Ave. Originally from Superior’s South End, Peterson was thrilled to find the spot available for rent.

“When I was a kid, this is where my grandparents banked,” she said. In keeping with the pieces she sells, Peterson has added touches meant to evoke memories of her childhood – a penny candy jar reminiscent of Bob’s Variety Store, brown craft paper to wrap purchases and old-fashioned brown craft bags.

The Shabby Shed offers a mix of unique, chic, antique, sassy, repurposed and collectible items. Some are found at estate or rummage sales, some in truck beds heading to the dump, others are brought in by consignors.

“It’s nice to have them in town where it’s easier to get to,” said Penny Wick, a customer and volunteer at the shop.

Along with a raft of prime pickings that Peterson and her friends have gleaned over the winter, the store is offering more handmade local items this year, including jewelry, primitives, paintings, wooden pieces, soap, lotion and photography. Antique, distressed and repurposed furniture will be available, including a number of antique pool tables more than 100 years old. And the store will introduce its own line of candles with scents meant to bring back memories.

The Shabby Shed holds its grand opening this week. The store is open noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Peterson will be serving Alakef coffee, punch and cookies, and offering goodie bags to the first shoppers each day.

“Enjoy a treat with us, shop and browse the most amazing transformation of Shabby Shed,” she said.

The business began as a garage sale last Memorial Day. Peterson, who had taken a home staging class, set the sale up more like a shop and visitors spread the word about how unique it was. The Shabby Shed became a weekly two-day sale and grew to the point where a new shed was constructed. While the store was closed over the winter, Peterson kept in touch with patrons through the business’ Facebook page. She boasts nearly 800 friends on the social networking site. Not too shabby for her first year, the South Range woman said. Now, she said, the country mouse has come to the city.

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